Supporting me, as I dragged myself upright, she said, ‘It’s no good, Larry. You’ll only hurt yourself.’
I staggered over to the door and put my hands on the panel. The door was as solid as a brick wall. Even with an axe, I would have had trouble to break it down. Turning to the window, I found the boards were of oak, screwed in. There was no hope of getting out through the door nor the window.
The pain raging through me made me feel faint, and I slumped down on the bed.
Glenda ran into the bathroom and returned with a glass of water. I poured the water over my head, and the dizziness went away. As I handed her the glass, I looked at my watch. For a moment, I couldn’t believe it. I had been unconscious for more than four hours.
‘We might break through the ceiling,’ I said.
‘It’s too high. There’s nothing to stand on. Nothing to use! Oh, Larry, darling, we must do what he tells us!’
Then we heard a sound outside, and Glenda clutched hold of me. A moment later, the door jerked open, and Klaus walked in.
Behind him, pausing in the open doorway, were Benny and Joe.
‘By now, Mr. Lucas, you will realize it is most unwise to play tricks with me.’ Klaus turned to Glenda. ‘A glass of water.’
Picking up the glass, she almost ran into the bathroom. It sickened me to see how terrified she was of him.
‘Here are some pills, Mr. Lucas. Take them! I want you to be fit and ready for die operation.’
Benny, followed by Joe, lounged into the room.
There was nothing I could do. The thought of Benny’s massive fists smashing into my aching body made me cringe. I took the three pills, then the glass of water which Glenda put shakily into my hand.
‘Take them!’ Klaus snarled.
I swallowed the pills and drank the water, ‘I’m sure you won’t object to sharing your woman’s bed,’ Klaus said. ‘Good night to you both,’ and he left the room.
‘I’ll be right outside, fink, if you want anything during the night,’ Benny said. He lifted his great fists. ‘You have only to ask.’
Joe let out a bellow of laughter, then they backed out of the room, and I heard the bolt slam shut.
As I reached for Glenda’s hand, the pills hit me and I went out like an extinguished light.
Chapter Seven
I dreamed Joe was playing the spiritual on his harmonica. I moved, hoping to break the dream, then I abruptly came awake, and still the tune persisted.
I opened my eyes, and there was Joe, sitting on a stool, playing his harmonica, and seeing me staring at him, he stopped playing, and his thick lips moved into a wide grin.
‘Hi, there, man,’ he said. ‘Time to get up.’
I sat up on the bed. There were no agonizing pains, but my body ached. I looked around.
Seated on the floor, in a corner, was Glenda. She looked at me, her big eyes dull.
‘Come on, man,’ Joe said. ‘Have a bath. I’ll fix it for you. Time’s getting on. You can’t sleep forever.’
I looked at my watch. The time was ten o’clock. I had no idea if it was ten in the morning or night.
Joe opened the door and called. A moment later, Benny came in. He went over to Glenda, grabbed her arm and hauled her to her feet.
‘Nice walk now, baby,’ he said, and hustled her out of the room.
Joe went into the bathroom and turned on the bath taps.
I got to my feet, expecting sharp pains, but there were no pains. This was something I wasn’t going to let Joe know about. As he came out of the bathroom, I drew in a shuddering breath, and bent double.
‘Come on, come on, man,’ he said impatiently. ‘You ain’t that soft.’
I remained still, bent double, then hobbled slowly to the bathroom. I stood by the bath, breathing heavily as Joe turned off the taps. He pulled off my shirt.
‘Yeah, man. Benny certainly can do a job.’
I looked down at my chest. It was yellow, black and blue. Taking my time, making out I was much more feeble than I was, I got out of my trousers and pants, then naked, I reeled back, thudding against Joe who grabbed me.
‘Come on, man!’ he said impatiently, and half shoved, half lifted me into the bath.
I lay in the hot water, my eyes closed, but my mind now active. There must be some way out of this trap! As long as Glenda was a hostage, I was powerless. If I could only find some way to free her...
Joe stood over me, and let me soak in the hot water for some ten minutes, then he reached down, grabbed my wrist and hauled me upright. I released a groan for his benefit.
‘Dry yourself, and hurry it up, man. The boss wants you,’ and he went into the bedroom.
I took my time. Touching my bruised body was bad, but I dried myself, slowly put on my shirt, climbed into my trousers and moved slowly into the bedroom. I was surprised that my movements gave me no pain, but I was careful to groan at every step.
‘Want something to eat, man?’ Joe asked, and waved to a tray containing a jug of coffee and sandwiches.
I realized I was ravenously hungry. Careful to move slowly, I poured coffee and sipped.
‘What time is it, Joe?’
‘Night time,’ he said. ‘Those pills the boss gave you sure knocked you out.’
I was feeling stronger now. The coffee helped. I ate the sandwiches, standing and half bent over, while Joe sat on the stool, playing his harmonica. I felt even better when I had finished the meal.
‘You know something, man?’ Joe said, putting the harmonica in his shirt pocket. ‘You sure brought trouble on yourself. I told you the boss was smart, and you wouldn’t listen. I told you not to dig your own grave. Still, you wouldn’t listen. I told you, working for the boss, you would get on the gravy train, like me, but you wouldn’t listen. So you had to do it the hard way.’
I straightened slightly and looked at him.
‘I’m still warning you, Joe,’ I said. ‘A black boy means nothing to Klaus. You are going to be taken for a ride like me.’
He grinned.
‘That’s what you say. Come on. The boss wants you.’
As he caught hold of my arm and moved me to the door, the door swung open and Benny shoved Glenda past me. The shove was so violent she went sprawling, landing on hands and knees.
I started towards her, but Benny blocked me off, shoving his fist into my face. I had an urge to hit him, but this wasn’t the time. I let Joe lead me down the passage, and into the living-room.
Klaus was sitting at his desk.
Joe shoved me into a chair, facing Klaus, then stood back.
‘All right, Joe,’ Klaus said. ‘Wait outside.’
Joe left the room, closing the door behind him.
‘How do you feel, Mr. Lucas?’ Klaus asked, leaning forward and staring at me.
I sat, bent forward, my arms wrapped around my body.
‘Mr. Lucas!’ There was a snap in his voice. ‘Don’t put on an act for me! You asked for a beating, and you got it. Be careful, you don’t get another. In another four hours, you will lead my men into the bank. Is that understood?’
I lifted my head and stared at him.
‘Yes.’
‘There are things to do. Now once again, Mr. Lucas, I warn you: no more tricks if you want your woman to stay alive. Understand?’
‘Yes.’
‘Very well. Now in case you are wondering if you will be reported missing by your secretary, I can tell you she has received a telegram saying you have been delayed, and she can expect you on Tuesday. That will give you plenty of time to go on the run.’
I was sure once the three had stripped out the bank, they would murder me. I had no illusions about that.
I didn’t say anything.
He pressed a bell button, and Harry came in.
‘Take care of him, Harry, and watch him.’
Harry grinned at me: cocky, confident and sexy.